Vegas Baby!

Before I start this post, if you don't agree with taking kids to Las Vegas then don't bother to read this post. Negative comments in relation to kids in Vegas will NOT be posted...period!

That being said...here we go.

The hubby & I went to Las Vegas in August for an adults only get away. I believe our marriage NEEDS that once per year so we do our best to make sure that happens. We ended up receiving 2 nights COMPED at Mandalay Bay so the Mr. surprised our family with 3 nights at Mandalay Bay over the kids Fall Break from school. We've been wanting to take the kiddos here to play in the wave pool & lazy river & our 2 comped nights made it feasible for us to do so. We also play MyVegas on Facebook & scored some goodies that way as well.

The first night we took it easy. Just checked into our room & walked up to the Luxor to redeem our 3 free buffets that we scored by playing the MyVegas game on Facebook. In the past I would have literally stuffed myself. This time I didn't. I started with a lettuce salad, moved on to ONE meat entrée with a side of sautéed veggies & spinach as well as a bowl of butternut squash soup. I DID have ONE desert but not until AFTER I ate a bowl of mixed fruit...watermelon, cantaloupe & honeydew.

Then we walked to M &M's World & back to our room.

 

Red SAID he'd do anything for love in the commercial....LIAR!

 The following morning we headed to the wave pool & spent nearly FIVE hours there. We played in the waves, floated on the lazy river. I actually RAN in the lazy river for a few laps playing with kids by chasing them on their tubes. The Mr & kids got floating down the river before I did, so I chased them.  We had lunch at the poolside Beach Bar & Grill...splitting our entrees. It's a good thing we did because they were pretty good size portions! 


I took these pics from one of the bridges spanning the lazy river.



The last time I'll wear this suit





As far as not wearing this suit again it's not because of the way I think it looks or makes me feel. I think it looks great & it makes me feel the same way. it's because it's getting too big through the legs & bust area. It bums me out because I've come to LOVE this suit, but it becoming too big is problem I'm HAPPY to have!



After our poolside adventures we used the rest of our $100 food & beverage credit at the Bayside (?) Buffet at Mandalay Bay & then we walked down to the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign & back. Since I hadn't done any real walking since the shopping cart incendent, this was a good test for my Achilles. We went after dark...obviously, but we went about 7 pm. Surprisingly, the walk was fairly well lit the entire way on both sides of the street. I wouldn't recommend walking it at night after about 10 though, nor would I walk it alone. It's just my humble opinion. With the kids, it took us about 20 minutes in each direction to walk it.

 

             Yes, THIS iconic sign!

The following day it was overcast & drizzling so that nixed the pool. Instead we drove down to South Pointe with the intention of bowling, but they had leagues that weren't on the website & a 45 minute wait for the few available open bowling lanes. Instead we went to eat at Steak n' Shake. Then headed to The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay..specifically The Las Vegas Sock Market. After that we used our free tickets to Shark Reef that we scored playing MyVegas. Then it was off to begin walking the strip. We took our time stopping to take pictures with two Incredible Me Minions in front of Ballys, stopping at The Sugar Factory..Paris & not buying candy. Instead we bought Shwings!


Shwing-tastic!

 

 

We watched the Volcano eruption at The Mirage from across the street at The Venetian. Eventually we made it all the way up to The Wynn where we crossed the pedestrian walkway & began heading back to The Excalibur. We took in the end of the Sirens of TI show...we've seen it before. We cruised past the Mirage volcano & into America at New York New York for a very late dinner.



Pedestrian Bridge at The Wynn





 

By the time we returned to our room, we had logged 5 miles on our walk on the LV strip. Surprisingly, I wasn't sore the way I had feared the day after. The Mr & kids were in good shape as well.

I had thoughts about giving up in the week prior to this trip. I think it's normal to have those thoughts from time to time. This trip only proved to me that my work at the gym before the shopping cart incident has helped. When we went for the Fourth of July, I had rolled my ankle the day before we left. I walked part of the strip with the family but not nearly as far & I was walking with an ankle wrapped. In August with the Mr, the hubby & I walked a bit further but I was in agony. it was also BEFORE I joined the gym. This time I had a little pain, but nothing that required a wrap or even an ankle support. Also the bathing suit in the picture fit pretty well in July but now I'm retiring it for good. Again, it's due to my work at the gym.